I am going the other direction soon and plan to keep my Nationwide Building Society current account open for receiving payments from Ireland,they do not charge for receiving payements (most other do) and you get the interbank exchange rate.(rate between commercial and tourist rate)
Not all banks over their charge €15 for sending electronic payements look away from the old dinosaur banks!
NBS do not charge you for using your ATM card through out Europe (no withdrawl fees and the above exchange rate)I think it's the only card in UK that dose this,their CC is equally good for using in Europe (no fees for using and the above exchange)
Most cards the banks issue across here,can be used fee free at any bank(in UK),i don't think any banks charge for SO,DD ect.
there is and number of banks paying welcome fees at the moment.
If you plan using your card in Ireland alot NBS is the way to go.
Am I aloud to post website for ek78 to look at ?
I have no connection with NBS apart from Mortgage,Current Account,CC.
First Direct is my main current account and has been for the last 15 years and never had any problems their telephone banking is very good although i havn't used it for a while,but i would never use this card abroad.